By By the Advocate Editorial Board
March 21, 2011 at 5:03 p.m.Updated March 20, 2011 at 10:21 p.m.

During a period in U.S. history that has seen an increase in obesity, we are always pleased and encouraged when somebody appears on the scene to tell a positive story and set an example. We applaud Cecelia Caballero of Telferner for being a role model for all of us.

According to the Centers for Disease Control Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 28.7 percent of Texans were considered obese in 2009.

This high percentage is prevalent over the entire United States and has reached these proportions during the past 20 years with only Colorado and the District of Columbia having less than 20 percent of obese citizens.

That's why programs like Michelle Obama's Let's Move were started - to convince us that being active can be fun, healthy and give us the promise of long life.

While this program focuses on kids, the 72-year-old Caballero shows us we can remain healthy in our later years. Caballero runs five miles three times a week and has set her goal to accomplish 13 miles in a single day.

Caballero, a great-grandmother, is training to run in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in January. And then she plans an Austin marathon in February.

A long-time marathon fan and a Boston Marathon participant in 1991, she will have chalked up 17 marathons when she runs in January.

We think any of us can foster a love for some kind of activity whether it's running marathons or swimming the length of a pool, especially if a great-grandmother can. When we do this, we do something we love, and we help keep ourselves healthy and happy, too.

We will watch Caballero's progress and follow her success in the January marathon. We wish her well in all the upcoming marathons she decides to run.

In the meantime, all of us should be doing something active to keep up with her.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.